Christine Feehan's Blog, page 22

December 23, 2016

Power Game Hard Cover and Trailer

I’m getting excited now that January is near. Power Game features Ezekiel and takes place in New Orleans. The heroine has never been heard of before, but she brings with her new information for the Ghostwalkers that is critical and a game-changer to them all.

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Without giving too much away, because I do want the book trailer to surprise you, we will be seeing some familiar faces and there will be some things that surprise even seasoned Ghostwalker series readers. So, if you’ve not seen the book trailer, please watch it before reading the rest of this blog.

Power Game Book Trailer

If you didn’t catch it, that’s Violet betraying the Ghostwalkers. But, she’s got more up her sleeve and even Whitney won’t see this coming.

Yes, someone dies. No, I can’t tell you who. But, it couldn’t be avoided. And it makes sense to the story. It had to happen.

The publisher decided it was time to put the Ghostwalkers into hard cover and though I know not everyone will be happy about the change, having the publisher want to take that step is a real compliment to an author. I’m proud they feel the series should progress to hard cover. But, I am also sensitive to what it means to my loyal readers. There will be a paperback edition, just like it is with the Carpathian novels. But, it comes a few months later. Please don’t forget your local library. And there are used book stores that you can check with a week or two after the book is out. Not everyone keeps the hardback editions.
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Published on December 23, 2016 16:28 Tags: book-trailer, christine-feehan, ghostwalkers, hard-cover, power-game

November 11, 2016

Writing and Staying Healthy

I’m not a fitness guru whatsoever, but I am a writer who spends hours a day sitting at a computer. I know that, after a while, my mind starts to wander and I need to do whatever it takes to stay focused.

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Some people will use caffeine or energy drinks or sugar boosts in the form of tasty treats, but I can’t do that. That actually just makes things worse for me.

After talking to my doctor I was able to come up with a regiment of daily, healthy habits. First of all I write every-other-hour. I start at 8 AM and my last power hour is from 5 to 6 p.m. There are days in which I write more, but at a minimum I write 5 hours a day, five days a week.

In between my writing time I get up and walk my dogs, do my daily errands, have my meals and I have a work out area where I get in at least 1 ½ hours a day on cardio equipment and/or swimming.

Sitting in a chair for hours on end is a disaster for me. I have to have more movement in my life to keep healthy and stay focused. What’s I do to stay healthy may be different from what you do, but I think it’s important to have a plan that includes taking care of your health.

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Published on November 11, 2016 11:36 Tags: christine-feehan, fitness, health, staying-healthy, writing

October 25, 2016

Writing with Friends part 2 of 2

Power Hour

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Our writer’s retreats were so successful and fun we wanted to do more of them, but we all live so far from each other. A few years ago two of our Starfish club members decided they would meet halfway between Kentucky and Atlanta and sequester themselves in a hotel for the weekend just to write. They kept it simple and just determined they would write an hour, take a break, write an hour and so on. They set goals, did word counts after sessions and encouraged each other while also bouncing ideas off each other. That was such a success that it was suggested we do the same thing from the comfort of our homes.

Power hours were born! Each morning a central person will do a conference call to all of those who participate. We tell each other our word count or goal for the hour session, hang up, work like crazy and then call in at the end of the hour to report on how well we did.

Sometimes you can make that hour, sometimes you can’t, but at least you know you’ll get some writing in that day. Your story moves forward, your book gets written and completed.

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In between those hours I edit. I also edit in the evenings and do my research.

I’ve been able to increase the number of books I write annually because of the power hours, the retreats and my strict schedule for writing. It helps to have that encouragement and support along the way.

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Published on October 25, 2016 19:28 Tags: christine-feehan, craft, power-hour, professional-writer, writer-retreat, writing

October 17, 2016

Writing with Friends Part 1 of 2

Writer’s Retreats

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Over ten years ago four friends decided to set aside time once a year for a private writer retreat. I was one of those four. We call it the Starfish Club, a name tied to a story about a boy throwing dying starfish into the sea regardless of the fact he couldn’t save them all. The gist of it is that we couldn’t help everyone, but we could help each other and we would. That one person can make all the difference sometimes.

We were pretty disciplined about the writing over the 4-5 days we’d be together. Each person would come with something we’d all read and review and be ready to discuss, and sometimes someone would bring an idea for a story and pitch it to the group for feedback. Each person got 2 rounds of concentrated time for themselves. And it was fun to have support from other writers who knew the challenges to writing, the industry, life and all the things in between.

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We had schedules for work, for meals and for play. We became like sisters and those retreats became extremely valuable.

Starfish has evolved over time and we’ve added people here and there, some of dropped out, some have joined other groups. But, we still meet up and now we try for twice a year. This year starfish consisted of myself, Sheila English, Susan Edwards, Karen Rose and Kathie Firzlaff. My son Brian has joined us, Cheryl Wilson is an original Starfish and there’ve been others here and there. Everyone brings something different to the group, which is wonderful.

We all treat these get-togethers as work. We’re professionals and keep to our schedules and are very serious about helping each other. But, we are also friends so there may be some goofing off that goes on when we’re not working. Okay, maybe a lot. How wonderful it is to have great friends, wonderful stories and lots of laughter!

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Published on October 17, 2016 22:57 Tags: christine-feehan, writer-s-retreat, writing-with-friends

August 25, 2016

Choosing to be a Professional Author

As I get up each morning to write, I think about my choices. As a writer you are self-employed. You must have discipline and keep to a schedule just as though you were going to work outside the home. I choose to get up early. I have several dogs that need to be taken care of before my own day can start.

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I choose to get dressed and fix my hair, put on make-up and ready myself as though I’m going out to work. I do this for many reasons. One is that it helps me mentally prepare to work. But, it also keeps me ready in case I want to go out for a walk, or maybe have lunch with a friend. It’s important to have some kind of exercise during the day, and some social interaction. So, I dress like I’m going to work and I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.

I choose to have a set schedule. I know myself, and I prefer to have a schedule that I keep to so that I know the rhythm of my day. I keep to that schedule. I try to be very disciplined in this because it helps me stay focused, keep deadlines, take care of myself and move forward in all that I do. I write a lot of books each year, as many of you know. I’m often asked how I do it. I am lucky that I am a relatively fast writer and that my environment is set up to accommodate my work, but the biggest reason I can write so many books each year is because I dedicate time to doing it. That’s me. That’s how things work in my life. It doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.

Writing is my job. It’s my profession, my career, my livelihood. It’s not a hobby. I would love to say that it’s all about the art of storytelling, but it’s not. Not entirely. Yes, you want to enjoy your art, your ability to tell stories, but as a professional, you have to dedicate yourself to being strict about deadlines, commitments, research and putting words to the page. I sometimes write when I don’t really feel like it. Just like I’m sure there are other professions where you show up to work on days you wish you didn’t have to. But, you still show up. As a writer you must show up. Yes, there are times in which you’re sick, or have had a family issue and you can make exceptions. But, you stay disciplined so that, when those days come that you need to have a day off, you can without feeling bad about it.

I choose to treat my writing as a professional career. I take it seriously. I work hard at writing, research, marketing, social media, staying in touch with readers. And when I’m not doing those things I get to be me; Christine Feehan, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and all those things we truly live for.

If you are a writer you know how dedicated you must be. You choose to be professional, you suck it up when you have deadlines, and you write even when you don’t feel like it. And in the end, when a reader contacts you to say they loved your book, character or a particular scene, in that moment it’s all worth that extra effort. And in that moment you are glad for your choices.
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Published on August 25, 2016 16:27 Tags: aspiring-writer, author, christine-feehan, inspirational, just-write, professional

August 4, 2016

30 Books of Dark

Dark Carousel is the 30th novel in my Dark series, also called the Carpathian novels. I wrote the first in the series, Dark Prince, in the late 1990’s during a very difficult time in my life. I’d lost my son and writing became a sort of anchor for me. I’d always written, even as a child, but this time I wanted to write about warriors who couldn’t die, and who would save the world. And in return, if the warrior was honorable, he stood the chance of finding the greatest gift there is; love.
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It didn’t occur to me that Dark Prince would be published. My best friend, Kathie, encouraged me to turn it in and I relented. I can honestly say that I was shocked when I received a call from Dorchester Publishing in New York offering me a contract.
My next book, Dark Desire, was published not long after and there began my journey as a career novelist. I realized I had more stories about this amazing race and I knew I could write in this world without ever tiring of it.

Each novel in the series meant something to me. They were characters I wanted to give life to and wanted people to care about. Dark Gold was next, and by this time I was hearing back from readers on what they loved and how they felt about the book, the world, the characters. So many readers were interested in a character who’d shown up in the previous books; Gregori. Gregori was, at the time, a very dark and foreboding character. He still is, but he’s mellowed a bit with marriage, like so many of us do. Lol I also realized how important hearing from my readers was to me.

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Dark Magic won many awards and hit several bestseller’s list, though not the New York Times. But, readers loved it and so I kept writing. It would be Dark Fire, the 6th book in the series that would make it onto the NY Times bestseller list first. Since that time, Dark Prince was reissued and hit the NY Times list, as did Dark Dreamers, and all those that came after.
It’s always a challenge to evolve such a long-running series, but if you love it and you’re committed to it, you find a way. Writers have a big imagination, so the opportunity for growth was infinite. We started with our Carpathians nearly extinct, then found a conspiracy as to why, the series went from primarily paranormal romance with an edge of urban fantasy to paranormal romance having dragons and mages and eventually lycanthropes.

With Dark Carousel I introduce something new to the picture, and something old-made-new again. We deal with magic and curses and threats to Carpathians and humans alike. But, what is constant is the promise I make with each of these novels; a happily ever after ending where love triumphs and heroes are rewarded with the love they fought so hard for.
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Dark Prince
Dark Magic
Dark Carousel

If you would like to discuss any of of my novels I do hope you'll join my online community where thousands of readers come to talk about the stories they enjoy.
Feehan Community
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July 13, 2016

My ThrillerFest Experience

I don’t travel much, but when I do I try to make the most of the trip. I had been told about ThrillerFest, a conference for thriller writers and readers, for several years. I read many genres, but some of my favorite authors are thriller writers and when a friend of mine invited me to attend this year, enticing me with the names of several authors I admire, I finally said “yes!” and we began making plans.

I was asked to be on a couple of panels and I truly enjoyed them. My GhostWalker series, Sea Haven series and my Shadow Rider series are both romantic suspense thrillers, so I found the entire experience helpful and fun. I was welcomed with enthusiasm and found everyone there to be gracious.


My panel on Friday was “Werewolves, Vampires or Witches? Thrillers on the Wild Side” moderated by Heather Graham. Other people on the panel included Kelley Armstrong, Mell Corcoran, Alex Gordon and Alexandra Ivy. The panel was fun in that the questions were out of the ordinary and meant to showcase our opinions on the supernatural, both real and imagined.


My panel on Saturday was “Guns, Sex or Both? The Attraction of Romantic Suspense”, which was extraordinary in the advice given to aspiring writers looking to write suspense and wanting to know what should or shouldn’t be in it. The moderator was Allison Brennan and other panelists included Lexi Blake, Anne Cleeland, Arlene Kay, Karen Rose and Rebecca York.



Panels I attended included “Army, Navy or Air Force? Military Thrillers” which was such an amazing panel and included A.J. Tata, Brian Andrews, Walt Gragg, Michael Byars Lewis, David McCaleb, Ralph Pezzullo and Jeffrey Wilson. These men have practical experience and so much knowledge. I spoke with several of them after the panel and many gave me their cards so I can contact them if I need help with research.


I also attended “Popcorn, Tickets or Trailers? Books and Movies, Movies and Books” and learned a great deal about having a book options, the good, bad and ugly. The panelists knew a great deal about the world of movies and TV series and included David Morrell , Lawrence Block, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Peter James, Arvam Ludwig and John Sandford.


I met so many authors that I admire and even found a few that I was a bit nervous to meet. But everyone was approachable, gracious and kind.

I did a book signing in Jersey City on Thursday, then on Friday and Saturday signed at the Hyatt during ThrillerFest. It was wonderful to be sitting next to John Lescroart signing, or signing at a table with RL Stine, Kelley Armstrong and Allison Brennan.

The parties were fun and I ran into several people I knew including Tess Gerritsen, Kat Martin, Michael & Kathleen Gear. And I met wonderful new friends MJ Rose, Steve Berry and Jon Land.


It’s always a bit overwhelming the first time you attend a large event like this, but it was worth it and I recommend the event to aspiring writers, writers looking to network and people who just want to really have a great time with amazing readers and writers of the thriller genre.
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June 14, 2016

All You Need is Love…Love Is All You Need

All You Need is Love…Love Is All You Need
That and a romance novel

I love romance for so many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that I know I will get a “happily ever after” ending that allows me to feel good, to hope, to believe. When the news scares me to watch or causes me to despair, I can curl up with a good romance novel and escape. I realize life needs to be addressed and we need to be present in our own lives, paying attention and being active in what happens around us. But, sometimes that takes a toll on us in a way that drains our positive energy, and if you can’t find a way to recharge your battery, so to speak, you can become drained of hope.
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I’ve seen so many posts about how frivolous romance novels are. There are people who think romance novels are only about sex and kissing and a woman’s need for love. They are so much more than just that. And what the heck is wrong with sex and kissing and a woman’s need for love? Romance novels offer hope as they teach us love is important. It’s important enough to fight for, to change for. Love is the great catalyst of hope, just as hope is the great precursor to love, the great answer to it.

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A good romance novel offers an escape into hope, potential, compromise, growth and love. It leaves you feeling good and positive about life and it’s potential. With so much anger and negativity in the world, who wouldn’t want to give a good romance novel to someone they care for? Give them happiness and hope. And to those who think romance novels are trivial and silly, I feel sorry for you. You are missing out on some wonderful feelings of hope and joy and love.
Shadow Rider
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Published on June 14, 2016 22:37 Tags: christine-feehan, happy-ending, love, romance, shadow-rider

June 8, 2016

A Little Humor in the Shadows

Assassins with the ability to travel using shadows still need a little levity. Shadow Rider is full of drama, suspense and action (yes...and romance) but I try to break up the constant adrenaline or dark action with romance and family, some of which comes with a bit of humor. You can't have that many brothers, only one sister, and not have a bit of humor with it, right?

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The Ferraro brothers and sister have had a very dramatic upbringing, but they've always had each other and teasing helps them bond. So, when the trailer was created for Shadow Rider the actors portraying the characters naturally found themselves looking for a bit of humor between takes to offset the assassinations, family drama and relationships drama. They ended up having such a great time, all the actors became good friends and found themselves doing things to make the others laugh.



John Wells started off posing for a photo for me. I wanted to see how the suits looked. The Ferraro family who are shadow riders all wear specific suits to identify them. We worked with The Men's Warehouse and got the suits with the pinstripes and I was excited to see how they look. Sheila, who assisted in the script writing and who produced the video is a friend and I knew by the "No worries, Christine, I'll get a good picture of John in the suit for you." was having far too much fun. She sent me a picture of John, sort of, in his suit.
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John and Katie, who play the hero and heroine, have worked together before and have been friends for years. I knew that since I've also worked with each of them previously. John was in the Before the Dark web series and Katie was in the book trailer for Dark Blood. So, I wasn't surprised to see those two goofing off a little. But, Scott Nova who was also in Dark Blood, hadn't worked with John, and Scott is such a professional and I hadn't met him yet, so I was not prepared for all the shenanigans between he and John. They became fast friends and had so much fun together. They called Sheila in to get a picture they did just for me that they entitled: Shadow Puppet Riders. I was told there was much hilarity with the cast and crew over their puppet drama.

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I loved all the great pictures they got that day, but the ones they did to make me laugh are just too cute not to share. I hope you enjoy them!
Shadow Rider
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Published on June 08, 2016 22:48 Tags: christine-feehan, humor, john-wells, shadow-rider

May 12, 2016

Shadow Riders: Heroes, Anti-Heroes and Guys Who Just Need Their Ass Kicked Part 3 of 5

Chicago
Shadow Series

They're everywhere, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, but these men from the new Shadow Series have something in common, they are fiercely loyal and extremely dangerous. Oh! And they can use shadows to transport themselves to any destination, which comes in handy when you're an assassin.

A friend told me she thinks they're Boondock Saints meets The Sopranos, but with paranormal and romance mixed in. And though I'm not sure The Sopranos is exactly hitting the mark, there is something mafia-like about them. There's a hierarchy, assigned jobs within the family, no one really knows how they make all that money and there's just something not quite right about who things just happen to you if you cross them.

These men are very careful. Their playboy lifestyle keeps in them in the paparazzi's eye and every starlet, politician and high-level entrepreneur wants to be in their favor...or their bed.
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Each have been sent away for specialized training. They all have their own secrets. Assassins, who kill without remorse. Their lives are too dangerous for love. Unless they find a woman willing to accept who and what they are. They must be very careful in who they choose because the consequences are harsh. If she refuses him once they have bonded he loses his ability to ride the shadows and she loses her memory.

I love stories about quiet men who hide unfathomable power. The men of the Shadow Series are those powerful men. But they won't keep quiet if you betray them or someone they care about. Do that, and you'll not even have the shadows to hide in.
Shadow Rider
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Published on May 12, 2016 04:08 Tags: christine-feehan, shadow-rider, shadow-series